Using the depth that the Violets hope to display all season, the New York University wrestling team opened the 2023-24 campaign with a victory at the Ned McGinley Invitational hosted by King's College in Wilkes-Barre, PA, on Saturday, November 4.

Claiming one individual victory, three runner-up spots, a third-place finish and a fourth-place showing, NYU was able to compile 134.5 points to edge out second-place Rochester Institute of Technology (132 points) in the 13-team affair.   

"Today showed how much depth this team has," said Associate Head Coach Corey Luce. "We are extremely pleased with the way our guys competed."

Benny Bautista at 125 was the Violets' individual winner. He recorded a fall, a technical fall and a major decision before defeating teammate Thomas Fischer 9-6 in the final. 

"Good to see Benny and Thomas in the finals together," Luce offered. "Both guys have made huge jumps from last season."

A trio of NYU wrestlers produced second-place performances: Taisei Kurachi (133), Fischer (125), and Vincenzo Napolitana (149).

Kurachi recorded two falls (one in 23 seconds) and two major decisions before falling in the finals.

Napolitana posted two falls and won two decisions before being edged in the finals 11-8.

Fischer won two decisions and recorded two falls before dropping the finals' decision to Bautista.

Jack Farinaro (197) and Trent Furman (184), finished third and fourth, respectively, in their weight classes. 

"What I like most about this team is everyone is in each other's corner and invested in the team culture," Luce added. "It's going to be a fun season."  

NYU will be sending a different set of wrestlers to the Princeton Open tomorrow in Princeton, NJ